Allergy Meds

[Patty]

I'd like to start Ali back on an antihistamine. I think we've tried most of them and Benadryl's worked the best for us, though it's definitely not a magic bullet.

Sandy's post in Hanks thread about Chlortab got me thinking about trying something new this year again. http://www.k9diabetes.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2999

I know antihistamines aren't very reliable in dogs and each one responds differently. But I'd love to hear what's worked best for your dog and the symptoms it treated.

Thanks!
Patty

[Soaphie & Sydney's Mom]

Zrytec has been working GREAT for Sydsta!

[Patty]

What's her dose Tami for her weight?

[Shellie]

I think I'm going to make a list and keep that around. I'd love to have a simple pill to use for Hank and his allergies. SOMETHING has to work.

[Soaphie & Sydney's Mom]

Originally Posted by Patty

What's her dose Tami for her weight?

Hi Patty - Syd is about 48 pounds, Soaphie about 65. They each get 2 zrytecs in the a.m. We ran out a couple days ago - and it they missed 2 days of allergy meds....last night I noticed Syd had been licking her hip and chewed a spot hairless. Thankfully I had already "restocked" so they were back on the meds....

Works for them - hopefully it works for Ali!!!! Might take a few days to see a difference at the start...

[Patty]

Thanks Tami.

Ali was rubbing her head into her pillow like crazy tonight. We usually don't get that type of response until Aug-Sept. I gave her 25mg Benadryl tonight just because its what I had on hand. But am looking into using something else this year....maybe the Zyrtec or Chlortab.

Patty

[farrwf]

Originally Posted by Patty

Thanks Tami.

Ali was rubbing her head into her pillow like crazy tonight. We usually don't get that type of response until Aug-Sept. I gave her 25mg Benadryl tonight just because its what I had on hand. But am looking into using something else this year....maybe the Zyrtec or Chlortab.

Patty

I alternate between ChlorTabs and Benedryl with Otis.

Walmart Equate Chlortabs are $2.76 / 100. Costco brand of generic benydryl is 4.95 / 600.

[CarolW]

I'll have to look up Zyrtec. My vet gave me a list of three to try (and/or alternate).

1) Cetirizine hydrochloride (brand name Reactine); at a does of 7.5 mg daily - or even twice daily if needed (which, unfortunately, she does).

I've just put her back on that after a long haul with Benadryl - up to 40 mg three times daily - and she's been on a caplet and a half of 25 mg caplets, three times daily - 37.5 mg). The Benadryl, so far, seems to work best for Camellia, whose allergies are environmental; she's missing the normal skin barrier that moisturizes - hydrates - the skin - it's made up of phytosphingosines and other stuff. Without the barrier, the allergies can get in, so she's on DOUXO calming shampoo and spray, with weekly baths, and twice-weekly spraying.

The Reactine doesn't work quite as well as the Benadryl.

2)Chlorpheniramine - known here in Canada as Chlortripolon (brand name), or, Novo-Pheniram, in its generic version. This didn't do much for Camellia at all, with the prescribed dose of 2 mg (half a 4 mg tablet), three times daily. I tried her on it for a few days, and then moved to Benadryl, when it didn't seem to work well at all.

3) The famed Benadryl (diphenhydramine) - I get it in 25 mg caplets, and give a caplet and a half three times daily, as mentioned above.

(I'm writing this off-the-cuff; hope I got all the names right!)

Sun, 6 May 2012 17:36:34 (PDT)

[Patty]

Thanks Bill!

Originally Posted by CarolW

I'll have to look up Zyrtec. My vet gave me a list of three to try (and/or alternate).

1) Cetirizine hydrochloride (brand name Reactine); at a does of 7.5 mg daily - or even twice daily if needed (which, unfortunately, she does).

Carol,
Zyrtec in the states is Cetirizine HCl 10 mg so must be equivalent to your Reactine.

[CarolW]

Originally Posted by Patty

Thanks Bill!

Carol,
Zyrtec in the states is Cetirizine HCl 10 mg so must be equivalent to your Reactine.

Interesting; indeed, that seems right to me! Thanks for the info! A lot of vets appear to like this antihistamine. Mine does.

Love and hugs, with special greetings to Ali!
Sun, 6 May 2012 19:31:20 (PDT)